In the 2024 video, attendant Ian Epstein, who died in the January 29 crash of an airplane near the Washington National Airport, jokes with passengers while flying last year.
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The collision between American Airlines flights and Blackhawk Army helicopters on the Potomac River was the first fatal commercial accident in the United States since 2009, when a propeller plane crashed near Buffalo, New York, in 2009, with 50 people I killed the nearby.
Recent airplane incidents and close calls across the country raised concerns about safety protocols, and at a press conference after crash, President Donald Trump said he was told that Diversity, Equality, Inclusion (DEI) crashed near Reagan citizens I questioned whether it was because of that.
Trump also questioned the path of air traffic controllers and helicopters during a media briefing.
What do you know
The crash on January 29th killed 67 people aboard both aircraft, including Epstein, and navigating air transport, air safety procedures and shared airspace near major Metropolitan Hubs. It highlights concerns about the challenges involved.
The American Airlines flight had taken off from Wichita, Kansas and landed at an airport near Washington, DC when it collided with a helicopter. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight.
The video, filmed in September 2024, jokes with passengers on a flight from Charleston, South Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Samphen Starstock via Storyful
Epstein, who became a flight attendant in February 2020, can be seen in a video of him joking about “a first class nice guy.” “When we play blackjack and roulette at a casino in India, we're all going to stay at Motel 6 tonight.”
“You're a very nice guy,” Epstein said, pointing to the traveler. “If you're fine on your way to the hotel, he's promised to take us to the world's biggest Twine ball.”
People hear them laugh in the background as Epstein is theatrical breathing and joking, and ask if the man will go to the plane to the cracker barrel.
“Anyone who doesn't want to go to Padoka, Kentucky, should raise their hands at this point,” Epstein said. “Everyone, anything is fine. I went to Charlotte and no one said that.”
In the video, Epstein also calls out “work wife” Penny, who was on “the fourth day of a four-day trip” with the attendant.
“We started this morning in Gainesville, Florida. Tell us anything. 5:30am is really fast,” Epstein said.
Women in the background began chanting for Florida schools, but Epstein said, “This is a Michigan plane,” and “If you keep fighting for Florida schools, women won't get alcohol.” He said.
“That's not my fault,” Epstein said. “You didn't have the grades to enter the Big 10 school, ma'am.”
Another attendant walked past him and Epstein told him, “You're late and I'll get off my plane.”
He also told passengers he had tee time at 2:46pm and would shoot an 88-per “if it doesn't rain.”
Ian Epstein/Facebook
Epstein also asked passengers for some jokes, such as “Why do ducks have tail feathers?” (“It covers the Quack on his butt”) and “What do you call a cow on the trampoline?” (“Milkshake”).
Speaking to people at Debi Epstein, Ian Epstein's ex-wife, the flight attendant said that crashed but was not planning on boarding an American Airlines flight he traded for a colleague.
“This wasn't his line,” Devi said. “This wasn't the flight he was supposed to be.”
What people are saying
Ian Epstein's ex-wife, Devi Epstein, told people:
Ian Epstein in video: “I know the reason we're doing our job is that you guys are flying. We love you. We thank you. I'm happy you're here.”
What will happen next
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Once the plane's wreckage is removed from the river, the parts will “relocate to a safe location for wreckage layout testing,” the National Road Safety Commission said.
